Éric Zemmour announces run for 2027 French presidency
French far-right politician Éric Zemmour has officially declared his candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election.
Key facts about Zemmour’s campaign
Zemmour, 68, is the leader of the far-right party Reconquete! (Regain!).
He stated on television that he is running to ‘preserve a French France so that our future is French’.
His campaign focuses on reducing immigration, with a target of two million fewer immigrants by the end of his five-year term.
Proposed immigration policies
- Expel foreign offenders currently in prison.
- Remove foreign unemployed individuals who have been out of work for over six months, even if they are legal residents.
Background: Zemmour’s political journey
Zemmour entered politics five years after leaving journalism.
He finished fourth in the 2022 French presidential election, behind Emmanuel Macron, Marine Le Pen, and Jordan Bardella.
He had previously signaled in mid-September that he would be a candidate, but his team emphasized this was not yet a formal declaration.
Legal history and public statements
In 2020, Zemmour received a criminal conviction for remarks he made about Muslim women and men wearing religious attire.
He described such individuals as part of an ‘invasion’ and a ‘colonisation’ in public statements.
Marine Le Pen, the leader of the National Rally party, remains a major contender.
Le Pen is widely projected to lead in the first round of voting.
Why this matters
Zemmour’s entry strengthens the far-right’s presence in French politics.
His policies on immigration and identity could influence public debate and policy direction in France.
Limitations and open questions
There is no public data on how many voters support Zemmour’s positions.
His policies may face legal or constitutional challenges.
Opposition parties have not yet issued formal responses to his campaign.
France 24 reported this with AFP and Reuters.
Sources & further reading
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